Jean Reslet Dumornay, endearingly known as Jeanky, Johny, and uncle John, departed Earth peacefully on January 12, 2025, after a valiant fight with Alzheimer’s at his residence in Boston, MA. Born to Michel Cameleau and Marie Aniolie Imosy Dumornay on May 2, 1943, in Mirebalais, Haiti, Jean Reslet lived a full and blessed life guided by his faith and love for God, and his unwavering devotion to his family.
Jean Reslet was the first born son of the Dumornay family. He is survived by sister Marie Berthonie Desire, brother Michelet & wife Marie Dieumene Dumornay, brother-in-law Hermann Leveillard (husband of Marie Ghislaine Dumornay, departed), sister-in-law Suzanne Dumornay (wife of Louis Emmanuel Dumornay, departed), brother Luc Pierre Dumornay & wife Marguise Dumornay, sister-in- law Denise Dumornay, brother Marc Elie & wife Leena Dumornay, sister Marie Yvrose & husband Marcel Joseph.
Jeanky married the love of his life Elizabeth Willine Dubuisson on November 23, 1968. Jean and
Elisabeth had three sons: Gregory, Willian Robnel, and Carl Yvengson Dumornay. He survived by
daughters-in-law Assanta Dumornay, and Marie Elisee Deborah Dumornay; Isabelle Valeus, Marjorie Sylvie Auguste, Stacey Akelia Joan Mayers, Soultana Bernadin; and five grandchildren Angie Koreen, Jelani Gregory, Chiara Lydia, Janay Ayana, Leeyah Quinn, and Rihanna Quinn Dumornay. Additionally, Uncle John survived by Karl Blackmon, Jackson & wife Julienne Barthelemy, and the many nieces and nephews and families of his siblings.
As a teenager, his autonomy and determination motivated him to create avenues to begin supporting himself financially. Matter of fact, before his migration to the United Stated in 1971, the entrepreneur Jean Reslet Dumornay owned a convenience store in his hometown, and was a supplier to several small businesses. He was a well-renowned and excellent carpenter, with his own atelier. In addition, he was pleased to share his knowledge of the art of carpentry to a score of students in his community.
Jean, often accompanied by friends, or one of his younger brothers Michelet Dumornay, would go hunting for games in the country side of the town of Mirebalais. He enjoyed climbing the surrounding hills, and taking long walks in the valleys. His additional hobbies included playing guitar and reading.
Jean Dumornay had a brilliant mind. He was in fact an autodidact. After graduating High School, Jean taught himself French Literature and Stylistic, and learned advanced Mathematics with the help of his brother Michelet.
In 1991, when we reunited with my dad, I witnessed firsthand his discipline and devotion to his work. Sleet or snow, rain or shine, at times sick and in pain, my dad would wake up every morning at 3:00 AM and would make his way to the streets as a cab driver in order to provide for his family. My dad was fully committed and devoted to his wife and family. My dad’s biggest dream was to have the capacity to be the sole provider for his family, consequently his wife would not have to work.
On weekends, my dad loved to entertain family and friends. A special grocery shopping was done on Friday afternoon, and my mom would cook a variety of the most popular traditional Haitian dishes. Uncle John would be delighted to have guests over throughout the entire weekend. Some days, the conversations would continue late in the night. His signature laugh and smile would be in display. Weekends was the space and time where my dad would be in a different world. The heartaches and the stress of everyday life would seemingly fade away. My dad did not possess much; nonetheless, he generously shared what he had.
My dad sacrificial heart, his respect, and his undeniable love for his parents were in full display as both had successively gotten sick in their later years. My father supported by his wife consistently and frequently visited Grandpa and grandma. They would leave home with the mindset to be useful in whatever capacity necessary or needed to make grandpa and grandma’s life better. When necessary, they joyfully changed grandpa’s dressing and diaper, bathed, and fed him. My dad learned how to massage grandpa legs to alleviate his pain. Dad officially became grandpa barber. Most importantly, my mom and my dad faithfully and courageously prayed with them. Many times, after a long day at work, they walked miles to get to grandpa and grandma’s. Occasionally, my dad and my mom took grandpa out to a buffet, or to dinner. There was a time, in the parking lot of a restaurant, as they were getting grandpa out of the car to sit him in the wheelchair, all three of them fell, and had to be assisted by good Samaritans. My mom and my dad were already themselves grandma and grandpa. My father set a high bar as he truly honored his father and mother.
My father’s love for God was the motivator of his actions, including the times when my dad was
overzealous. To each denomination or congregation that dad was a member of, he gave his full
participation and devotion. Most of the times, he accepted or assumed a leadership role such as
deacon, preacher, Sabbath or Sunday school teacher, etc… He gave his all. He was punctual, sincere, and honest. His trust and faith in God were the anchor of his life. Life struggles, setbacks, adversities, and difficulties, which he was familiar with, were no match to dad’s faith in his God. He lived a full and courageous life until the end. His memories live on and will be cherished for generations.
God is faithful and his love endures forever.
Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Saturday January 25, 2025 from 8-9 AM followed by a Religious Service from 9-11 AM in the Tabernacle Congregation Baptist Church, 575 American Legion Highway, Roslindale, MA. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, 45 Fairview Ave, Hyde Park, MA.